2017 Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, March 20-26, WT

[Forever The Best]

Re: Re:

Edit: Valverde is, or isn't riding the Tour? I can't remember.

Yes, he will.

Indurain, Itzulia, Ardennes, Tour is confirmed. I guess, he will also add Dauphiné and Nationals.

He has won so many stage races in Spain, but not Pais Vasco...insane numbers.

5xVuelta a Andalucía
3xVuelta a Murcia (as a stage race)
2xVuelta a Burgos
2xVuelta a Castilla y León
2xVuelta Ciclista a la Comunidad Valenciana
1xVuelta a España
1xVolta a Catalunya ... will add another one

https://www.cyclingranking.com/Riders/Overall

In this ranking he might enter the Top Ten.

It's a very fine resumee for a rider who is even more successful as a one day racer. Interesting ranking - it's always difficult to compare eras I guess, but Valverde could just about have his eye on 3rd position of all time if he can keep going for another 4 seasons.

Chapeau to Contador as well for edging past Phil Anderson into 25th position.

Lol at Valverde being above Coppi, Bobet, Van Looy and Indurain. I also think that Saronni, Jalabert, Bettini, and Kuiper are better than him, probably Fignon, Janssen and Nibali as well.
Anderson being just behind Contador is ridiculous.

Yep, I know all kinds of rankings have these strange anomalies - but I'm really struggling to understand the formula which put those two so close together.

Indeed. Also most of these rankings give lesser places(ie.podiums, top 5 etc.) a lot more importance than they should.

 

[GraftPunk]

it's okay kids, settle down, mom and dad think you're both pretty. Good racing today at least, hopefully it will just as good tomorrow!

 

[rhubroma]

Re:

My thoughts: last 5km were great to watch. Valverde was clearly the strongest in the race, he dropped them with ease, and looked "comfortable " all the way to the line, amazing performance. And to think he had a minute deducted. Shame he isn't going the Giro really.

Froome was a lot stronger than I thought, I thought he would be dropped pretty early but he is stronger than last year in March. Contador's attack seemed to lack that big punch after Pantano (brilliant again) had put the hammer down. He does genuinely seem to be declining now, completely understandable, but you should never write him off, and he will be better in July, but whether that's enough is another story.

Soler was so strong today, I was so impressed with him, Gaudu and the ninja ride from Carthy. All three were exceptional, but particularly Soler today. TJ obviously didn't have it but as someone else said, it also might be a mentality problem. That is never to be underestimated.

As for Thomas, he is going to be in a world of trouble in the Giro big climbs if he struggled today, I thought he would be better today. Kruijswilk slowly working his way into form too.

A couple of things: the last week of the Giro should be too hard for an explosive climber like Valverde. Well if Contador is on the decline, which would be "completely understandable" (and I'm not being polemical here, since that may well be the case), why is it that Valverde (and mine is a serious inquiry), who is even older, is possibly stronger than he has ever been on a climb like today's finish?

I basically agree with everything else.

 

[Forever The Best]

Re: Re:

It was glorious in clinic after 2014 Pais Vasco, it was like a festival with Skybots and Contador fans, but contador fans usually celebrate the wins in clinic as well.

Yeah I think I was in the clinic as well Great times, I hope we can have such a party one more time

We should do another one of those, hopefully when Contador wins Le Tour
Also extremely impressive by Marc Soler. I wonder what his next race will be.If I were the team manager I would make him race Suisse, Burgos and Vuelta

 

[rick james]

Re: Re:

\
Apparently you still don't get it.

Its the way you spew your dislike for certain riders (Froome, Valverde etc.) when they are beating Contador thats extremely frustrating. Can't you see it?

No, I can't. We all have our likes and dislikes and I dislike them regardless of who they beat Well, maybe I will cheer for Valverde if he and Froome are the last riders in the race.

You seem to respect Valverde at least. Don't know if you do the same with the Sky riders. Maybe with the exception of Henao. :lol:

I reckon Sky hang around forums these days to see which riders are gaining in popularity and then sign them up at the end of the season. Kind of a win hearts and minds thing: 'look, we have Landa, Rosa and Kwiatkowski, will you stop throwing urine at Froome now'.

lol, what? you actually believe that :redface: :redface:

 

[rick james]

Re: Re:

I reckon Sky hang around forums these days to see which riders are gaining in popularity and then sign them up at the end of the season. Kind of a win hearts and minds thing: 'look, we have Landa, Rosa and Kwiatkowski, will you stop throwing urine at Froome now'.

I am convinced they do that, they always sign a few riders I like (this year Rosa and Kenny), but it just makes me hate the team more. Hands off my boys!

Yip that is what sky are doing, they are browsing forums for riders you like and singing then up for the next season

what a joke and the fact you even think that shows how deluded you are

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

I reckon Sky hang around forums these days to see which riders are gaining in popularity and then sign them up at the end of the season. Kind of a win hearts and minds thing: 'look, we have Landa, Rosa and Kwiatkowski, will you stop throwing urine at Froome now'.

I am convinced they do that, they always sign a few riders I like (this year Rosa and Kenny), but it just makes me hate the team more. Hands off my boys!

Yip that is what sky are doing, they are browsing forums for riders you like and singing then up for the next season

what a joke and the fact you even think that shows how deluded you are

you thought I was serious

 

[BigMac]

Re: Re:

I reckon Sky hang around forums these days to see which riders are gaining in popularity and then sign them up at the end of the season. Kind of a win hearts and minds thing: 'look, we have Landa, Rosa and Kwiatkowski, will you stop throwing urine at Froome now'.

I am convinced they do that, they always sign a few riders I like (this year Rosa and Kenny), but it just makes me hate the team more. Hands off my boys!

Yip that is what sky are doing, they are browsing forums for riders you like and singing then up for the next season

what a joke and the fact you even think that shows how deluded you are

 

[Angliru]

Re:

Valverde became an even better climber at around 35 years of age.

This is one somewhat early season race. He is a magnificent rider though. Too early to say that he's improved as a climber based on a race where Froome is at his initial race in Europe and Contador is in decline. Purito was quoted as saying that what he learned most from his time riding with Valverde is his love for just riding his bike. And unparalleled devotion to training which explains his consistent year-long high level of form.

 

[Vasilis]

Wouldn't it be funny if Froome and Contador attacked Valverde together early on in the stage.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Wouldn't it be funny if Froome and Contador attacked Valverde together early on in the stage.

Yeah, funny, but won't happen

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

Valverde is back at 2005 level.

Maybe it's time to visit another part of the forums.

I just did armed with a jens attacks tweet :lol:

Let me try to understand this. When Contador puts out 7,0 w/kg on Peille, its stratospheric, worldclass and the best that ever happened to mankind.

When Valverde puts out 6,6 w/kg on Caro (which is about the same level considering the length of the climb compared to Peille, pretty much), its ridiculous, ****** and laughable and you what what we aren't allowed to talk about in here. Only cause you adore and love Contador to the point I've never seen and hate Valverde as much as Froome.

Sometimes you make me sick. I probably shouldn't have added that last sentence, but man.

Then put her on ignore......because this isn't at all nice.

 

[Aguirre]

some justice on the road, the strongest won. BMC? I think their image is quite damaged. Next time think twice before twitting.

 

[spiritualride]

Re: Re:

Maybe but I think there will probably be gaps maybe twice as big as that if not more... the climb is pretty hard. TJVG will be between 3rd-5th on GC after today IMO

It's not THAT hard. Plus he can outclimb the likes of Valverde on his day. If he has any form at all he'll hold onto his lead, IMO.

big gaps... 8th place was over a minute behind the winner. What evidence was there that TJ had any form to hang with the likes of Valverde? His form this year showed that he would perform just as he did today.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re:

some justice on the road, the strongest won. BMC? I think their image is quite damaged. Next time think twice before twitting.

At least his team won the time trial.

 

[Aguirre]

Re: Re:

some justice on the road, the strongest won. BMC? I think their image is quite damaged. Next time think twice before twitting.

At least his team won the time trial.

Useless win. They were not on the podium, they didn't celebrate the dinner with champagne. In their inner they know they have stolen the win to Movistar. They bend the rules. So useless win.

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

Edit: Valverde is, or isn't riding the Tour? I can't remember.

Yes, he will.

Indurain, Itzulia, Ardennes, Tour is confirmed. I guess, he will also add Dauphiné and Nationals.

He has won so many stage races in Spain, but not Pais Vasco...insane numbers.

5xVuelta a Andalucía
3xVuelta a Murcia (as a stage race)
2xVuelta a Burgos
2xVuelta a Castilla y León
2xVuelta Ciclista a la Comunidad Valenciana
1xVuelta a España
1xVolta a Catalunya ... will add another one

https://www.cyclingranking.com/Riders/Overall

In this ranking he might enter the Top Ten.

Confirmed where?

 

[Mr.White]

Re: Re:

Edit: Valverde is, or isn't riding the Tour? I can't remember.

Yes, he will.

Indurain, Itzulia, Ardennes, Tour is confirmed. I guess, he will also add Dauphiné and Nationals.

He has won so many stage races in Spain, but not Pais Vasco...insane numbers.

5xVuelta a Andalucía
3xVuelta a Murcia (as a stage race)
2xVuelta a Burgos
2xVuelta a Castilla y León
2xVuelta Ciclista a la Comunidad Valenciana
1xVuelta a España
1xVolta a Catalunya ... will add another one

https://www.cyclingranking.com/Riders/Overall

In this ranking he might enter the Top Ten.

It's a very fine resumee for a rider who is even more successful as a one day racer. Interesting ranking - it's always difficult to compare eras I guess, but Valverde could just about have his eye on 3rd position of all time if he can keep going for another 4 seasons.

Chapeau to Contador as well for edging past Phil Anderson into 25th position.

Lol at Valverde being above Coppi, Bobet, Van Looy and Indurain. I also think that Saronni, Jalabert, Bettini, and Kuiper are better than him, probably Fignon, Janssen and Nibali as well.
Anderson being just behind Contador is ridiculous.

Coppi, Bobet, Van Looy and Indurain certainly better, others I think not. Bettini was better one-day rider, but Valverde in GT's and other stage races tops that edge. Saronni and Jalabert were similar riders, but they didn't last on top level nearly as much Valverde did. Kuiper simply no. Janssen also. Fignon was magnificent rider, he maybe is better than Bala, although he also had 3-4 big seasons, in others he was mediocre. Nibali.., well there was a thread where we argue who was the better rider of the two, it was couple of months ago. He has his big wins, certainly, but I think it is not enough to compete with nearly 15 years of consistency and riding at the highest level. Valverde was top rider right from the start, already in 2003, and he's a top rider now, 14 years later. That's something unparalleled in today's peloton, and only Contador and Boonen came close to that, to certain extent.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Confirmed where?

http://www.itzulia.eus/en/2017/teams-and-riders/

 

[TMP402]

Re: Re:

I reckon Sky hang around forums these days to see which riders are gaining in popularity and then sign them up at the end of the season. Kind of a win hearts and minds thing: 'look, we have Landa, Rosa and Kwiatkowski, will you stop throwing urine at Froome now'.

I am convinced they do that, they always sign a few riders I like (this year Rosa and Kenny), but it just makes me hate the team more. Hands off my boys!

Conspiratorial as well as sectarian. It's been a rough day for Flo.

 

[Tonton]

Re:

Soler and Gaudu were even more impressive than Valverde himself. Hopefully nothing gets in the way their development. Valverde really wanted to show everyone, who is the boss.

Had almost forget, how disgusting Froome's yo-yoing looks like, his retirement can't come soon enough. Contador looks unable to sustain the power to keep the gap after the initial acceleration. Thomas was surprisingly week, expected much more of him after T-A.

I agree wholeheartedly.

With regards to Thomas (or Dumoulin), if the top climbers don't wait until the final kilometer to start racing, he just can't match them. And this climb was much more brutal than Terminillo.

Gaudu and Soler: the future.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

Conspiratorial as well as sectarian. It's been a rough day for Flo.

I'll just quote myself. Thanks for the insult, by the way.

you thought I was serious

 

[del1962]

lots of idiots upset by Froome's riding style

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I think Froome's bizarre riding style, head down, elbows out, legs whirring like an out of control fan, is endearing. Then again I also like the riding styles of Mollema, Dan Martin, Zakarin, so maybe I'm some kind of pervert. I draw the line at Aru though.

 

[jaylew]

Just watched this.

Sweet, sweet redemption for Balaverde!!!

As usual, got to love AC's fighting spirit. Gonna be a sad day when those two retire.

Not a big fan of Froome but I like his riding style in the sense that I think it's great to see a variety of styles in the peloton. And the guy is not a boring rider, I don't care what anyone says.